Former Rider standout John Wagner named to MAC All-Century Soccer Team

John Wagner hasn’t kicked a soccer ball in anger for 40 years, but he’s still remembered for how well he did it.

The former Notre Dame High and Rider University soccer and baseball standout added another line to his glittering resume Thursday when “Wags” was named to the Middle Atlantic Conference All-Century Soccer Team.

The MAC is celebrating 100 years (1912-2012) by naming All-Century teams in three eras, 1912-71, 1972-92, and 1993-present. Wagner was named to the All-Century team for 1912-1971.

“I’m a little bit shocked,” said Wagner, who will be feted at his Friday Afternoon Club today. “I thought they were going to pick like 100,000 people and I’d be on the fifth team. I really want to thank the people who voted for me.”

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The voting was done on the MAC website and former player/current assistant coach Larry Povia helped get the word out for Rider alum to start voting. What shocked Wagner more than making the team, were those who didn’t make it.

The likable Wagner, known for his wit as well as his skills, has long been one of the most popular figures associated with Mercer County athletics. He was an All-County selection in baseball and soccer at Notre Dame, went to Rider on a soccer scholarship, and ended up playing baseball as well when the catcher got hurt.

He and Giallella went to the College World Series in baseball. In soccer, Wagner was a defender who helped Rider to five shutout wins and a 10-3-1 record in 1966.

“I think that the nicest thing about playing back then is that the coach at the time (Joe Ritter) was really committed to getting Mercer players at Rider,” Wagner said. “My sophomore year, I think half the team was Mercer County players, and we had gotten better every year.”

Wagner became one of 75 players invited to the 1968 Olympic Trials, where he advanced to the final 15 players before being cut.

He jokes about playing professionally, saying “technically I guess I did Joe Shea gave me $10 a game to play for the GAK.”

After being drafted into the army, Wags saw active duty in Viet Nam under the future commander of Desert Storm, Norman Schwarzkopf. He also received an invitation to a close friend’s wedding while in Asia, which is one of the stories he still tells.

Upon returning to the states, Wagner coached Notre Dame’s soccer team to several big seasons before moving to Hightstown to coach baseball and soccer. He gave up baseball to become athletic director but guided the soccer team to two sectional titles and a berth in the 1986 state finals.

He is a member of countless halls of fame, is a Clarence O’Shea Coaching Award winner and a Trenton Select Club honoree. After retiring from Hightstown he became Assistant Athletic Director under John Simone at Mercer County Community College, and still stays active on the athletic scene by serving as a chauffeur for members of the World Renowned Christmas Eve Club.

And now, over four decades since his playing career ended, he is considered one of the greatest soccer players in 100 years of MAC Soccer.

“It’s just a great honor for Wags and for our school,” said current Broncs coach Charlie Inverso, who played for Wagner at Notre Dame. “There’s not a person around who doesn’t like Wags and doesn’t appreciate what he’s done for Mercer County athletics and for Rider. We couldn’t be prouder.”